Armenia’s Drift from Russia: Refusal to Attend CSTO Meeting and Closer Ties with the West

Despite years of historical ties and political dependency, Armenia has been reconsidering its foreign policy in recent years. Recent developments show that the country’s process of distancing itself from Russian influence and turning towards the West has accelerated. For many, it was unexpected that this time Armenia did not participate in the important CSTO meeting in Bishkek. This decision further heightened the attention of political experts and international observers.

Previously, Armenia also refrained from attending CSTO summits under Russia’s leadership, pursuing a policy of directness and openness with Moscow. Around the same days, Armenia’s Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan met with the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, and the EU announced €270 million in support, indicating important shifts in the country’s foreign policy.

President Vahagn Khachaturyan also openly stated Armenia’s intention to follow the path of democracy and strengthen strategic cooperation with the EU. These moves sent a serious signal to Russia and showed that a real chill had arisen in relations between the two states.

It is known that Armenia has repeatedly abstained from participating in CSTO meetings. Such a situation is not occurring for the first time — after the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war with Azerbaijan, Armenia lost faith in the CSTO due to Russia’s neutrality. At the start of 2024, Nikol Pashinyan officially announced the “freezing” of Armenia’s participation in the CSTO.

In recent months, Armenia has diversified its foreign policy and conducted joint military exercises with the USA. These events are accelerating the country’s rapprochement with Western institutions. The cessation of the activities of Russian border guards in Yerevan has also increased the disunity between the two countries.

While Russia still claims to see Armenia as a CSTO member, in reality the country is changing its strategic direction. The long-standing alliance and military-technical cooperation between Moscow and Yerevan have been seriously called into question by recent events. Nevertheless, some experts point out that this process brings both risks and opportunities for Armenia.

Interestingly, at the same time, tensions are also rising between Azerbaijan and Russia, further changing the region’s geopolitical landscape.

In conclusion, Armenia’s refusal to participate in the CSTO meeting and its closer ties with the EU and USA indicate the formation of new political rules in the region. These processes could bring significant changes to stability and security issues in Central Asia and the Caucasus. Read 'Zamin' on Telegram!